AudezeLCD-XC Over Ear Closed Back Headphone, Carbon Weave earcups with Suspension Headband, Creator Edition with Economy Carry case – New 2021 Version

The headphones are quite bright at their stock setting, not to my liking. I could run them from my PC's motherboard but for laptops/phones/players and (-15db)< pre-amps amplifier might make sense. I was searching for headphones with impressive bass capabilities, and these certainly deliver. The Kendrick Lamar - XXX at 2:57 with my eq will vibrate the head quite much.Their weight is not noticeable to me. Only when I turn my head do I feel their weight. The sound is incredibly detailed and very analytical (which leads to fatigue rather than enjoyment), not surprising to me they are bragged-about choice for mixing. Makes it easy to comprehend every detail and intention of the sound.

I don't know how many times I've looked at the LCD-XC on Amazon, on the Audeze website and on YouTube.I think part of the reason I waited so long to purchase these headphones is the lack of availability at any brick and mortar store near me. Audio taste is such a subjective thing and I really wanted to listen to them before making a purchase. I also wanted make sure they would be comfortable for extended use.Well, I finally decided to purchase them, and I couldn't be happier in terms of both sound and comfort.More to come as I continue to use them.

A good amplification, especially with balanced output will be better for this, of course with a balanced cable.

Here is my journey the last 2 months...First, I bought the Hifiman Arya’s (V3) first which sounded amazing out of the box. Really amazing headphones. At the time, I had them on Magni 3 & the Loki EQ with a Cambridge audio Dacmagic 200M. The Beyerdynamics DT1770’s sounded great as well, but not as much as the Arya’s The Arya’s were more detailed and just overall better sounding by a good margin. Albeit the Arya’s are much more expensive. Also bought my closed backs in the LCD-XC’s for night time use, and they sounded excellent, just a little bright on the treble region (around 5K?), and the lower end was a bit low, although not bad. The Arya’s were still better sounding to me at this point. Almost returned the LCD-XC’s because of the little treble “shouty” nature of them.THEN I went a little nuts with upgrading my amp to the Burson Soloist Performance, the Lokius EQ, all Audioquest Mackenzie XLR cables and Audiophile Ninja headphone XLR cables. I kept the Dacmagic as it decodes MQA files, which is what I need as a Tidal hifi Plus subscriber.Long story short, once I got the upgraded Audiophile headphone cables, the better Lokius EQ that connects with XLR cables, and the Audioquest Mackenzie XLR cables (along with Audioquest Cinnamon USB) form iMac) and once everything was broken in a bit... WOW!!!!!! The best sound I have EVER heard! The LCD-XC’s just absolutely went from a good sounding headphone to pure musical nirvana! Now, I can tune out the little treble trouble, increase slightly the bass, and it sounds just perfect!To be honest, I dont even need to adjust much anymore on the EQ with the treble with all these additions. I think the stock cable was mostly the issue. Once I went to the Audiophile Ninja XLR cables, it was so much better, especially with the Audioquest XLR cables, and letting everything break in for a week or so.If you ar eon the fence with this headphone, do yourself a favor, BUY THEM, then make SURE you DAC it, AMP it, XLR cable it, upgrade the headphone cable, and let everything break in a bit and you will NEVER regret it! It just may be the best sound you have ever heard as I have! Especially for a closed back. I am SO glad I was patient with this process and didn’t return them.A lot of people complain the headphones are heavy - which they certainly are. But I have a huge head so it literally doesn’t bother me at all. Think my traps are growing too, nice workout while sitting on my butt. But really, it isnt that bad. They are REALLY nice to look at. VERY muscular & manly cool look to them.Audio is VERY selective to what makes things click. If you do your research right and execute as I did, you will be rewarded quite nicely. Just get them, trust me!

wish the headband was better

I have found over the years that when you upgrade to higher performing headphones, your first experience with an upgrade can be surprising. Many times, it will not be what you expected when you have been weaned on inexpensive headphones and have developed an expectation of audio quality that is far from accurate. This is especially true of the LCD-XC. This headphone will take some adjustment to understanding what they are designed to do. After a break-in period, you will begin to appreciate the level of clarity and detail. This will make it hard to go back to lesser performing headphones. It's like learning about and developing a taste for high quality coffee and espresso and afterwards trying to go back to Folgers and trying not to throw up. One of my favorite and most detailed headphones has been the Beyerdynamic T1 2nd gen. Going back to the T1 after a long session with the LCD-XC makes the T1 sound dark and muffled by comparison. And the T1 is known for high levels of clarity that can sound bright if not paired to a proper amplifier. The LCD-XC while being 20 ohm's and easily driven by anything will reveal low powered and inexpensive amplifiers shortcomings. These scale extremely well. Proper impedance matching is necessary for getting the most out of these. The separation of the different levels of instrumentation and vocals is outstanding and effortless; it accomplishes this better than the venerable HD800s which sounds slightly congested in comparison. I also own the latest revision of the LCD-2f when equalized correctly is perhaps the best sounding headphone in the sub $2K category. The LCD-2f is a better option for easy, relaxed, warm listening. But when I need to peer deep into the track or the performance of the chain, these are the way to go. These are comfortable to wear in spite of the weight. I did not expect a closed back to perform at this level. Good job Audeze!

It's heavy, not comfortable for long period use and not cheap because they are reference studio headphones but the sound clarity, sound stage, stereo image and the isolation of music instrument are incredible. They can be driven from any source with their 20 ohms impedance at 100db at 1mw. They are loud with no distortion also. This is a one time buy so you can say you have a Hi-Res can and be proud of.